The latest research from Nature Materials September 2021

[Nature Materials]( [] Advertisement [Wide- and Ultrawide-Bandgap Electronic Semiconductor Devices]( Submit your research to this Special Topic today! [Learn more]( [APL]( TABLE OF CONTENTS --------------------------------------------------------------- September 2021 Volume 20, Issue 9 [Current issue]( [Editorial](#_20_9-1) [News & Views](#_20_9-2) [Perspectives](#_20_9-3) [Review Articles](#_20_9-4) [Letters](#_20_9-5) [Articles](#_20_9-6) [Amendments & Corrections](#_20_9-7) Advertisement [Oxford Instruments NanoAnalysis] AZtecWave combines the high resolution and sensitivity of WDS with the speed of EDS to deliver accurate compositional results when elemental analysis is at its most challenging. WDS with AZtecWave provides full separation of all common X-ray peak overlaps and trace element detection. [Discover how to bring electron microprobe-like capabilities to your SEM today](. Advertisement New editorial webcast: Spatial Proteomics: Advances in Technologies and Applications In this webcast, two experts in antibody-based and mass cytometry-based spatial proteomics approaches will present established and emerging approaches in the field, as well as exciting applications from their own research. [Register for this webcast FREE today]( Produced with support by: [Fluidigm Corporation]( Advertisement [Nature Communications’ Top 50 in Chemistry & Materials Sciences]( In 2020, [Nature Communications]( published more than 6,400 papers and we are pleased to share with you the 50 most downloaded chemistry and materials sciences articles from last year. Featuring authors from around the world, these papers highlight valuable research from an international community. [Browse the Top 50 collection >>]( [Nature Communications]( [] Editorial [ ] [A molecular jack-of-all-trades]( doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01096-y DNA is much more than the genetic information it carries. It is a versatile material for creating systems with tailor-made functionalities that are having an important impact in emerging technologies. [] News & Views [ ] [Quantum time crystals open up]( Philip Ball doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01090-4 [ ] [A PCR-free approach to random access in DNA]( Luca Piantanida & William L. Hughes doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01089-x Data-encoded DNA sequences have been encapsulated in barcoded silica beads for a random access storage system without PCR amplification. [ ] [Scale-up for ultrathin black phosphorus]( Etienne Gaufres doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01059-3 Centimetre-scale few-layer black phosphorus films have been grown on a mica substrate by pulsed laser deposition. The high crystalline quality and homogeneity of these films are promising for device applications. [ ] [Nanocages for virus inhibition]( Neha Chauhan & Xing Wang doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01088-y Elaborately designed DNA icosahedral shells cage intact virions to effectively protect host cells from viral infections. [ ] [Silicon goes heavyweight]( Christopher H. Marrows doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01055-7 A substantial spin–orbit interaction is introduced in a purely silicon heterostructure and can be tuned through an applied gate voltage. Advertisement [Bio-Inspired Nanomaterials]( Biological systems continue to inspire researchers to create new materials, structures and devices. This conference aims to capture diverse bio-inspired perspectives from prominent researchers pushing the boundaries of materials science and technology based in structures seen in nature. This event is now hybrid! [conferences.nature.com/Nanomaterials]( [NConfererence]( [] Perspectives [ ] [The changing state of porous materials]( Thomas D. Bennett, François-Xavier Coudert, Stuart L. James & Andrew I. Cooper doi:10.1038/s41563-021-00957-w Highly ordered crystalline porous solids are useful for many applications. This Perspective explores the evolution of these systems from the ordered state to the glassy and liquid states, discusses the different types of porous liquid and considers possible applications of these disordered systems. Advertisement How to use atomistic simulations of polymers in an industrial setting Dr. Andrea Browning of Schrödinger will present case studies of leveraging molecular simulation to address engineering level challenges such as improved functionality in consumer packaging and adhesive materials. [Register for this webcast FREE today]( Sponsored by: [Schrödinger]( [] Review Articles [ ] [Phonon-engineered extreme thermal conductivity materials]( Xin Qian, Jiawei Zhou & Gang Chen doi:10.1038/s41563-021-00918-3 This Review provides an overview of experimental and theoretical methods for the understanding of thermal transport, summarizes recent progress in materials with ultrahigh (or low) thermal conductivities, and outlines strategies for the engineering of extreme thermal conductivity materials. [] Letters [ ] [Large-scale growth of few-layer two-dimensional black phosphorus]( Zehan Wu, Yongxin Lyu, Yi Zhang, Ran Ding, Beining Zheng et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01001-7 Centimetre-scale growth of few-layer black phosphorous with high crystalline quality and homogeneity is realized by pulsed laser deposition. [ ] [Nonlinear valley phonon scattering under the strong coupling regime]( Xiaoze Liu, Jun Yi, Sui Yang, Erh-Chen Lin, Yue-Jiao Zhang et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-00972-x Strong exciton–polariton coupling is leveraged as a means to open up phonon scattering channels that are otherwise weak. [ ] [Unlocking synergy in bimetallic catalysts by core–shell design]( Jessi E. S. van der Hoeven, Jelena Jelic, Liselotte A. Olthof, Giorgio Totarella, Relinde J. A. van Dijk-Moes et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-00996-3 Nanomaterials may present interesting catalytic properties, but well-defined model systems are rare. Here, a Au–Pd core–shell catalyst is investigated for selective hydrogenation of butadiene, with shell-thickness-dependent catalytic activity, high selectivity and activity 50 times greater than that of alloyed counterparts. [] Articles [ ] [Electronic properties of the bulk and surface states of Fe1+yTe1−xSex]( Yangmu Li, Nader Zaki, Vasile O. Garlea, Andrei T. Savici, David Fobes et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-00984-7 The compositional dependence of magnetic, superconducting and topological surface states on an iron-based superconductor is reported. [ ] [Synthetic Rashba spin–orbit system using a silicon metal-oxide semiconductor]( Soobeom Lee, Hayato Koike, Minori Goto, Shinji Miwa, Yoshishige Suzuki et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01026-y Silicon is a light element with high lattice inversion symmetry, and so is not expected to possess a substantial spin–orbit interaction (SOI), which is desirable for spintronics. Here, a silicon-based heterostructure is demonstrated to have a gate-tuneable Rashba-type SOI. [ ] [Bosonic condensation of exciton–polaritons in an atomically thin crystal]( Carlos Anton-Solanas, Maximilian Waldherr, Martin Klaas, Holger Suchomel, Tristan H. Harder et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01000-8 A coherent condensate of exciton–polaritons, extending spatially up to 4 µm and spin-polarizable with an external magnetic field, is observed at cryogenic temperatures in a MoSe2 monolayer embedded in a vertical microcavity. [ ] [Oxygen-evolving catalytic atoms on metal carbides]( Shuang Li, Bingbing Chen, Yi Wang, Meng-Yang Ye, Peter A. van Aken et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01006-2 Metal oxides or carbonaceous supported atomic metal sites coordinated by oxygen or heteroatoms exhibit enhanced electrocatalytic activity. Stabilization of single-atom catalysts on tungsten carbides without heteroatom coordination for efficient oxygen evolution reaction is demonstrated. [ ] [Adduct-based p-doping of organic semiconductors]( Nobuya Sakai, Ross Warren, Fengyu Zhang, Simantini Nayak, Junliang Liu et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-00980-x Adducts of dimethyl sulfoxide and hydrobromic acid demonstrate efficient p-doping of various organic semiconductors and compatibility with other counterions used to improve stability and other performance parameters of organic-based optoelectronic devices. [ ] [Solid-state rigid-rod polymer composite electrolytes with nanocrystalline lithium ion pathways]( Ying Wang, Curt J. Zanelotti, Xiaoen Wang, Robert Kerr, Liyu Jin et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-00995-4 Developing safe electrolytes compatible with high-energy-density electrodes is key for the next generation of lithium-based batteries. Stable solid-state rigid-rod polymer composite electrolytes with nanocrystalline lithium ion pathways are now proposed. [ ] [Integrated computer-aided engineering and design for DNA assemblies]( Chao-Min Huang, Anjelica Kucinic, Joshua A. Johnson, Hai-Jun Su & Carlos E. Castro doi:10.1038/s41563-021-00978-5 An approach integrating molecular dynamics-based computer-aided engineering with computer-aided design allows for the rapid construction of large three-dimensional DNA assemblies and control over their geometry, mechanics and dynamics. [ ] [Random access DNA memory using Boolean search in an archival file storage system]( James L. Banal, Tyson R. Shepherd, Joseph Berleant, Hellen Huang, Miguel Reyes et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01021-3 Silica beads encapsulating DNA information and functionalized with DNA labels create an alternative DNA data storage system, where direct random access and data retrieval are enabled by complementary fluorescent strands that identify beads for separation in fluorescence-activated sorting. [ ] [Programmable icosahedral shell system for virus trapping]( Christian Sigl, Elena M. Willner, Wouter Engelen, Jessica A. Kretzmann, Ken Sachenbacher et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01020-4 Programmable triangular DNA blocks self-assemble into distinct icosahedral shells with specific geometry and apertures that can encapsulate viruses and decrease viral infection. [ ] [Enhanced substrate stress relaxation promotes filopodia-mediated cell migration]( Kolade Adebowale, Ze Gong, Jay C. Hou, Katrina M. Wisdom, Damien Garbett et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-00981-w It is now shown that cells migrate robustly on soft, viscoelastic substrates with fast stress relaxation using a migration mode marked by a rounded cell morphology and filopodia protrusions extending at the leading edge. [] Amendments & Corrections [ ] [Author Correction: Interface migration by phase transformations]( Y. Mishin doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01083-3 [ ] [Publisher Correction: Bosonic condensation of exciton–polaritons in an atomically thin crystal]( Carlos Anton-Solanas, Maximilian Waldherr, Martin Klaas, Holger Suchomel, Tristan H. Harder et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01036-w [ ] [Publisher Correction: Synthetic Rashba spin–orbit system using a silicon metal-oxide semiconductor]( Soobeom Lee, Hayato Koike, Minori Goto, Shinji Miwa, Yoshishige Suzuki et al. doi:10.1038/s41563-021-01086-0 [nature events]( Natureevents is a fully searchable, multi-disciplinary database designed to maximise exposure for events organisers. The contents of the Natureevents Directory are now live. The digital version is available [here](. Find the latest scientific conferences, courses, meetings and symposia on [natureevents.com](. For event advertising opportunities across the Nature Publishing Group portfolio please contact natureevents@nature.com [More Nature Events]( This email has been sent to {EMAIL}. If you no longer wish to receive the email alerts from Nature Materials [click here to unsubscribe](. If you wish to discontinue all email services from Nature Research please [click here to unsubscribe](. 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